Folding light automatic rifle



Sepn 7 1954 A. F. GAlDos FOLDING LIGHT AUTOMATIC RIFLE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. l, 1950 mm. n Nw.

QN MQ Sept. 7, 1954 A. F. GAlDos FOLDING LIGHT AUTOMATIC RIFLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. l, 1950 Sept. 7, 1954 A. F. GAlDos FOLDING LIGHT AUTOMATIC RIFLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. l, 1950 .m 5 m n @d i l1 E mmm A. uw WK F A1 :mz n

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Sept. 7, 1954 A. F. GAlDos FOLDING LIGHT AUTOMATIC RIFLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. l, 1950 m www F'. Emil-3.0.5

Sept. 7, 1954 A. F. GAlDos 2,588,203

FOLDING LIGHT AUTOMATIC RIFLE Filed Feb. 1, 195o 5 sheets-sheet 5 Patented Sept. 7, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE vFoLDn'to LIGHT AUTOMATIC RIFLE Alonzo F. Gordos, Redwood City, Calif. Applica-tionvFebruary 1, 1950, Seral'No. 141,801

l (o1. L12-vm (Grranted'v under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), sec. 266) l4 Claims.

1 This invention relates toa smalllight weight automatic rearm.

An objectY of this invention is to` provide an easily transported firearm which. canv bev stowed in a smallpackor similar. carrier.

A particular objectof this invention is. tol pro- Vide a firearm which can be disassembled. into small units and. then stowed in. a small. pack which can be readily carried on the back of a paratrooper. orv theA like.

Another object of this invention is tox provide a rearm which canv be quickly disassembled into aI small number of; units. or assembled. inthe optimumottime without theuse of.. tools..

Another obiectfof thisY invention is to provide Y ment as-shownvin: the accompanying drawings in which.:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional; view of the receiver and bolt with the' striker in the cockedr position.

Fig.Y 2 isf alongitudinal View partlyin. section I of aportionofthe=ba-rrelassembly andi is'identified to=be read asi` though: attached; to: the righthandedge of Fig. 1.

Fig.. 3 is a longitudinal view partlyl in section ot the muzzle-,end of the' barrel. andis` aconti'nuation ofzFig; 2;

Fig. 4'. isza longitudinall view.v of the'three units comprising this invention disassembled.

Fig. 5 I isar perspectiveI view.r of` the` actuator bar.

Fig. bis7 a View similar'to Figa 1' but inthe red position. v

Fig. 7 is anA enlarged plan View of the bolt return spring rodassembly:

Fig. 8l is' an enlarged' cross sectionalview taken on line 8`--8'of Fig. 1".

Fig.. 9 is a right side enlarged View ofthe automatic Sear. v

Fig. l0. is a crossA sectionalview taken online Fig. 11. is a View similar to Fig.. 1' showing the bolt in the. recoiled position.

Fig. 12 is a cross. sectional. view taken on line |2-I2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view taken on line l3-I.3 of Fig. 1.

. Fig. 14 is an enlarged side. view of' the. ejector.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged side view of the. extractor.

Fig. 1-6` is a partial longitudinal cross sectional View ci the firing. mechanism in the. fullautomatic position.

Fig. 17v is an enlarged. crosssectional. view taken online I1l1.of.Fig.13.

Fig.. 1-8v isaright side enlarged View of the semiautomatic sear. n

Fig. 19 isanenlarged partiallongitudinal cross sectional view of the hinge portions.Y

The gun disclosed in. this invention comprises primarily three units for ease of transportation, particularlyv a stock. assembly- |2,. a receiver assembly I3 which` is hinged. thereto, and a-'barrel assembly Ul which is bestshown in Fig. 4.

Stock assembly I2. comprises. a shoulder stock l5., a, stock hingel 16,.. stock.. hinge. screws I1 and a .connector rod assembly |18. The connector. rod assembly I8. comprises a red |l9..a.knob 2U anda pin 2.| for fastening the knob 20,- on rod i9. The rear endv of stock i5 is. provided with` a conventional butt plate |29.

Receiver assembly I3 comprises ay housing or intermediatev stock portion 22,. a receiver 23J and a trigger guard. 24- Receiver housing; 22 is formed as an extensionof shoulder stock I5 and is provided` vvith an` anchor plate 25.. on' the rear end thereof which is fastenedl thereto byscrews 2B,

anchor plate 25V being provided. with a. threaded hole 21 to receiveva threaded end. H33y of connector rod I!! (Fig. 19).

Receiver 23 isprovidedwith a threadedlongitudinal recess 2.8 in the' upper rear end thereof to receive a striker retainer 29. The forwardend off receiver 23 hasv a` longitudinal protruding. cy-

lindrical boss 30. with. exterior threads 3| provided for a purposevwhich will be explained later. Receiver 23 is provided with. a dovetailV transverse slot 226 tov receive a conventionalrear sight 221.

A longitudinal. bore 32 is provided in theupper forward part of receiver 23. extending outA through boss 3i)` to receive a bolt assembly 33.A Receiver 23 has a downward depending, rectangular portion Sii beingv provided with a vertical magazine opening 35. andv an angular slot 3.61 toreceivev a lock 31 which will belater described.

Extending forwardly from threaded recess 28 a longitudinal bore 38 is provided to receive a striker 39. Forwardly of longitudinal bore 38 a small bore 4U is provided to slidably support a reduced end 4| on striker 39. Forwardly of bore 40 and connected to bore 32 an enlarged bore 42 is provided to receive a buffer 43. On the forward upper right side of receiver 23 angularly disposed is a slot 44 to permit ejection of a Projecin. recess 49 a threaded hole 50 is provided to receive a trigger guard screw 5I. Forwardly of projection 41 a depending lug 52 is provided with a transverse slot 53 to receive a retainer v54 of rod 46. A helical spring 1I surrounds bolt return spring rod 46 for a purpose to be later described. A pair of longitudinally disposed holes 55 is provided in projection 41 to receive Sear return plunger 56.l A transverse hole 51 is provided approximately at the rear of kreceiver 23l below bore. 38 and at right angles therewith to receive a safety lever 58. Forwardlyof hole 51 and in line therewith a transverse hole 59 is provided to receive a sear pin 60. Sear pin 6U is provided to receive an automatic Sear 6| and a semiautomatic sear 62, such sears being pivotally mounted thereon. Forwardly of hole 59 another transverse hole 63 is provided to receive a stop pin 64 which limits the counterclockwise'movelment of sear 62.

Striker 39 comprises an enlarged diametrical rear end 65 having an angular projection 66 on the bottom end thereof forming a hook for the engagement of the sears. A cylindrical recess 61 is provided in the rear end of striker 39 to receive the forward end of ya striker spring 68.

Striker retainer 29 is provided with a cylindrical bore 89 oppositely disposedrto recess 61 to receive the rear end of striker spring 68. Striker retainer 29 is provided with a knurled cylindrical head 10 to permit such retainer to be assembled in threaded recess 28.

A e011; 12 cylindrical in Centaur is provided with a longitudinal bore 13 therein to receive a ring pin 14 of a conventional shape and `such Vbolt is reciprocable in bore 32. A firing pin spring 232 surrounds pin 14 thereby biasing such pin rearwardly. Bolt 12 is provided on the rear end thereof with vertically positioned ways 15 to re ceive a ring pin retainer 16. Firing pin 14 has a reduced diametrical portion 11 on the rearrend j thereof which is slidably received in a hole 18 of retainer 16. Bolt 12 is provided with a longitudinal dovetailed slot 19 on the forward right side angularly disposed above the lhorizontal axis thereof to receive bolt handle 88. A longitudinal slot 8| with a semi-cylindrical bottom is stop clearance longitudinal slot 235 to permit the free movement of bolt 1'2 in bore 32 of receiver 23. In the forward part of slot 8| there is provided a raised square lug 236 to limit the rearward movement of ejector 82. Ejector 82 has an elongated longitudinal lnotch 231 arranged for slidable engagement over vlug 236 in slot 8|. Ejector 82 is urged rearwardly" by an ejector spring 238 which is assembled in slot 8| between a rear surface 239 of lug 236 and a rear surface 240 of notch 231. When the bolt assembly 33 moves rearwardly in recoil after discharging cartridge |3|, ejector 82 comes in contact with an ejector stop.24| secured to receiver 23 and protruding into bore 32 whereby ejector 82 stops in `relation to the bolt thereby ejecting spent cartridge I3I out of the receiver 23 through slot Bolt 12 is provided with a transverse slot 83 on the bottom near the rear end to receive lock 31.

Bolt handle has a depending arcuate handle portion 84 for manually operating bolt '12. A longitudinal rectangular slot 85 is provided on bolt handle 80 to receive a spring biased'extractor 8'6 which is pivotally secured thereto by an extractor pin 81. Retainer 16 is provided with a rectangular open slot 88 on the bottom end thereof to permit a bolt return slide 89 to contact bolt 12. Bolt return slide 89 is provided with a depending body portion 90 having an axial hole 9| therein. Bolt return slide 89 is slidably mounted on bolt return spring stud 4B by means of hole 9|. Bolt return slide 89 is biased forwardly by'bolt return spring 1I thereby urging bolt 12 into the battery position. Lock 31 is provided with' a rectangular open slot 92 angularly disposed on the left side thereof for a purpose t0 be later described.

Trigger guard 24 is provided with a rear hinge portion 93 terminating in a depending boss 94 having a transverse hole 95 therethrough. Shoulder stock I5 is pivotally mounted to receiver housing 22 by a hinge screw 96 which passes through hole 95 of boss 94 and is threadably secured to Stock hinge I6. A vertical counterbored hole 91 is provided near the rear end to receive screw 5I. A longitudinal rectangular recess 93 terminating in semi-cylindrical ends 99 is provided on the top of trigger guard 24 to receive a trigger retainer |00. A vertical threaded hole |0| is provided on the forward part of recess 98 to receive a trigger retainer screw |02.

Trigger retainer |00 is held in position at the rear end by retainerclamp 48. An elongated longitudinal slot |04 opening from the rear end is provided in trigger retainer |00 to permit a trigger |05 to slidably pass therethrough. Trigger |05 is provided with the conventional type linger piece |06 depending therefrom. A cylindrical longitudinal recess |01 is provided in the rear end of trigger |05 to receive a spring biased trigger return plunger |08 to urge such trigger forwardly. Opposed longitudinal rectangular slots |09 are provided to slidably mount trigger |05 on retainer |00. A rectangular longitudinal seat IIO opening on the top and right side of trigger |05 is provided to receive trigger latch body I I which is welded thereto or can be made integral therewith. A transverse cylindrical recess II 2 is provided on the rear right side of trigger |05 to receive an automatic lever pin II3 for the pivotal mounting of an automatic lever I I4.

Trigger latch body I I is provided with a transverse hole II5 in the center thereof to receive Y scar pin 60.

a trigger latch. H6. A transverse raised projection is provided on the rear endV of body ||J| with. a forwardly openingv slot ||8 tol receive a flat trigger latchr spring H5 which.' biases trigger latch |16 clockwise. Automatic lever H4 has a transverse hole |20y for mounting'such lever on pin 3. Automatic lever H54 is provided with an opstanding arm |2|fffor the functioningl of the semi-automaticv sear 62. and a downwardly projecting arm |22v for limiting'the pivotal movement of lever |14 in the automatic position.

Automatic sear 6| is provided with al transverse hole |24 for pivotallyv mounting suchscar on An upstanding.' projection |25- is provided on the forward` top portion of automatic sear 6| for the engagement of projection 66' on striker 39. On the lower left hand side of automatic sear 6| a transverse projecting lug |26 vis provided for engagement with latch |6. Semi'- automatic sear 62 is constructed similar to automatic sear 6| with the exception thata ledge |21 is' provided on the front end thereof for engagement with pin 64 and a lower transverse pro'- jecting lug |20 being on the right side similar to lug |26 of sear 6| but roppositely disposed. Semiautomatic sear 62 is also provided with a projection |23 on the rear' end arcuatel'y formed for engagement with safety lever 56.

A conventional magazine |30v constructed to receive a double row of cartridges |"3`f is used with this invention and is removably retained in magazine opening l of depending portion 34 by a resilient latch |32 which is plvotally secured toV the lower front surface of receiver 23. Latch |32 has a rearwardlyr projecting horizontal ledge |33 which engages a slot |34 in magazine |30 to position such magazine in the operative position.

Barrel assembly |4 comprises a barrel |35, a barrel nut |36, an actuator assembly |31A and a forestock assembly |38. The rear end of barrel |35 is of reduced diameter as shown at |39 to slidably lit in borev 32 of receiver 23. Forwardly of end |36 an enlarged diameter portion |40 is provided to be rotatably received in' a counterbore |4| of nut tt.l `The rear end of counterbore |4'| in barrel nut |36 is interiorly threaded as shown at to engage with threads 3| and thereby secure barrel |35 inreceiver 23. The rear portion of the enlarged diameter |40 is provided with a longitudinal keyway |42 on the top and bottom to receive a pair' of keys' |43 which are also receivable in slots |44 in boss 30 of receiver 23' to properly align and position the barrel in the receiver and also to prevent rotation of'barrel |35 and prevent upsetting the headspace. Forwardly of enlarged diameter |40, barrel |35 is provided with annular ribs |46 equidistant apart and extending approximately onehalf the length of the barrel to eiiect the cooling of the barrel. Forwardly of ribs |46 barrel |315 is provided with a reduced diameter' portion |41 to receive a rear barrel band |48. Portion |41 is provided with a longitudinal keyway |49 on the top surface thereof which is in alignment with keyway |42. The muzzle end of barrel |35 is a reduced portion |50 to slidably receive an actuator |5|. Rearwardly of portion |50 a threaded diameter |52 is provided to receive a front barrel band retaining nut |53; An enlarged diameter |54 rearwardly of threads |512 is provided to receive a front barrelband |55. Diameter |54 has a keyway |56 providedl on the top which is in longitudinal alignment' with keyways |42 and |49.

Rear barrel' band?v |48=y isprovided: with'.` a; longttudinal` loref |51; to.` receive. portion4 |4lf ofv barrel |35. A. longitudinal lceywayA |58' isprmii'decly on the top part of bore i513 toz receive` a. key |58?. Verticali-.v below bore lz't and inlalignmentxtherewith acounterbore |60. is provided to receive the rear endl.v or.y an. actuator springy housing: |:6|;'. Rearwardlyf of counterbore: Mill a. reduced: diameterv hole |62 is' provided to slidably receiveb an actuator' rod: |63'. Bifurcated downwardly des pending ears Hill. are provided at'they bottom of rear'barrelband |148'fto receiveiseyebolt t65ltlfxerebetween.. Ears |l64 are provided with suitable transverse holes |616` to threadably secure an eye bolt screw |:6;'| which passes'` freely through the eye in bolt |;6'5 totv permit pivotal movement` of torestoclc |38" aboutlscrew |161 in rear barrel band Front barrel band |515? is provided' with a longitudinal' bore |158' to receive diameter 54 of barrel |3i5. A keyway' |69 i's provided ontheztop part of bore |;68 to: receive a keyf |10 for securing: such: band on barrel |35. vertically above and transverse therewith front band |155 is provided: with. a dovetailed slot If to receive a'. front sightv ||'|2.. vertically below here |,68 and opposing; counterbore |.6f of rear band |248; fronti band t55 is.l provided with a counterbore |i.'|.f3 tov receive the' forward end of actuator spring hous- |6|f. li'orwardly'r of counterbore |13 a small diameter hole |314 is; providedy to slidably receive anactuator rod extension |81. Front barrel band retaining nut- |53. is: provided withv a longitudinal ttmeadedl.l bore |15 for' thread'ab-le engagement with. threaded diameter 52 of barrel |l35 thereby securely positioning fron-t band |2515;

Actuator |5| is` provided with a longitudinal bore' HB at thev fronti end thereof' to permit pas:- sage of;` a iiredbullet |111. A bore |f'|8 is pro vided in the rear end of actuator 5| and is slidabiiy receivable on` portion |150v of barrel' |35. A gas; chamber |19- is provided between bores |16 and |18 to permit the expansion of the gases andv also' the impinging of' samev on the forward inside Wall |00 of actuator |5|,f. Downwardly depending from actuator |5| there is providedy a lug mit havin-g a longitudinal bore |62 therein to receive an actuator rod; nuit 1&3. Bore |82). is provided withr a transverse hol-'e |84 toy receive a lock pin |05' for securing.' nut |83: in position. Nut i3 is: provided with a knurled head |66- to facilitate assembly.. (Nut |483. is provided with; a longitudinal cylindrical recess |188? in the rear end: tloereoiv a threaded recess` |189 forwardly l therefrom to receive a threaded end 901 of extension is?. Actuator spring housing [6| is provided with a longitudinal counterbore |191: on each end thereoior a purpose to be: later describe-d.

A. thin vertical wall section |92 is provided. in actuator spring housing |6| between countei'bores IBI and having a longitudinal small: hole |93'y to slidablfy receive extension |81. An enlarged diameter portion` |94 is provided on the rear end of extensionv |81y andl is slidably received in the rear counterbore |91 of housing i-Gl. Enlarged portion |94 is provided with a longitudinal threaded recess therein to threadably secure a threaded end |96 of rod- |63-. Forwardly of enlarged portion |94 an. intermediate reduced diameter portion |9-`| is provided toy be slide-bly received in hole |93 of. housing |6|1. The forward end of extension |81 is a reduced diameter portion |98V andv is slidably received in holev |141 of Vbarrel' band |55. A shoulder |99 formed at the intersection of portions |91 and |98 providing `a stopping surface for a washer 200.

. An' actuating spring 20| is assembled in the forward counterbore of housing |6| between the bottom surface of counterbore |13 of front band |55 and against washer 200 to bias actuating rod extension |81 rearwardly. An actuator rod buffer 202 is slidably mounted in the rear counterbore of housing |6| to slidably receive portion |91 of extension |81 to absorb the shock when the large` portion |94 goes forwardly under the impact of the actuating gases. 'Ihe rearward end of actuator rod |63 has an annular recess 203 to receive a stepped notch'204 of an actuator bar 205 which is loosely coupled therein (Fig.

Actuator bar 205 is provided with an offset lug 206 facing to the right and on the front end to accommodate notch 204. A lock actuating stud 201 is provided in the center and protrudes to the right of actuator bar 205 for a purpose to bedescribed later. An offset projection 208 protruding to the right on the rear end is provided on actuator bar 205 for a purpose to be later described.

Forestock assembly |38 comprises a forestock 209 which is approximately rectangular in crosssection and is arcuately relieved on the top portion to receive barrel |35. A latch housing retainer 2|0 is secured. to the rear end of stock 209 by conventional wood screws. Latch housing retainer 2|0 is provided with a longitudinal hole 2|| to receive a latch bar 2|2 for locking forestock assembly |38 to the firearm through the means of a latch plate 2|3 which is secured to receiver housing 22 on the front end thereof by conventional wood screws.

A longitudinal recess 2|4 axially aligned with hole 2|| in forestock 209 is provided to receive a latch housing 2|5. Latch housing 2|5 is provided with a longitudinal recess 2|6 to receive latch bar 2|2. A helical spring 2|1 is provided to bias latch bar 2|2 rearwardly in latch housing 2 I5. Latch bar 2|2 is provided with a vertical threaded recess 2 |8 to receive a latch screw 2| 9. Latch housing 2| 5 is provided with a longitudinal slot 220 in the bottom side thereof to permit passage therethrough of latch screw 2I9. An enlarged knurled head 22| is provided on latch screw 2|9 and extends through the bottom of forestock 209 to permit the manual forward release of latch bar 2|2 thereby allowing the forestoek assembly |38 to be pivoted downwardly through the means of eye bolt |65 Which is threadably secured in the forward part of forestock 209.

Forestock 209 is provided with a rectangular longitudinal slot 222 opening from the top on the rear end thereof to receive a barrel nut lock 223 which is secured to the bottom surface thereof. Barrel nut lock 223 is provided with a resilient upstanding tooth 224 which cooperates with longitudinal serrations 225 on barrel nut |36 whereby such nut secures barrel |35 at the proper headspace in relation to bolt 12, and secures such barrel to receiver 23. A narrow longitudinal slot 233 is provided forwardly of slot 222 in forestock 209 to accommodate rod |63.

ToV disassemble` the barrel assembly |4 for stowing purposes, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, it is only necessary to rst pull latch screw 2|9 forwardly thereby removing latch bar 2|2 out of engagement with latch plate 2 3 of receiver housing 22 whereby forestock assembly |38 can be swung downwardly; second, disconnect actuator .rod |63 from notch 204 of actuator bar 205; and*Y third, unscrew barrel nut |36 forwardly from out of engagement with thread 3| vof receiver 23. The hinging of the stock assembly |2 `in relation to the receiver assembly |3,` as shown in Fig. 4, can be accomplished simply by unscrewing connector rod assembly I8 rearwardly from anchor plate 25 of receiver housing 22.

Bolt 12 can be removed from the receiver assembly |3 after the barrel assembly I4 is detached therefrom by first removing bolt handle strap 228 which resiliently holds bolt handle secured in bolt 12; second, depressing'lock 31 out of engagement with slot 83 in bolt 12 which may be accomplished either by pulling actuator bar 205 forwardly which protrudes ,out of the front of receiver assembly |3, or by pushing forwardly manually operated bolt release lever 229 which protrudes through a slot 230 in the left side of the rifie and is secured to actuator bar 205; third, retract bolt 12 rearwardly suiiiciently to remove handle 80 out of slot 44 of receiver 23; and fourth, release striker 39 and under the bias of striker spring 68, bolt 12 will be forced forwardly clear of the receiver assembly |3. 'Y

Operation After the insertion of the magazine |30 loaded with the cartridges |3| into the magazine opening 35 of receiver 23 and secured therein-by magazine latch |32, lock 31 is angularly cammed downwardly out of slot 83 of bolt 12'by pressing forwardly lever 229 with the thumb of the left hand, such lever being on the left side of the rie. The bolt 12 is then retracted to the rear by handle 80 permitting the uppermost round |3| in the magazine |30 to enter the chambering space between the bolt 12 and the end of the barrel |35 whereby on the return of the bolt into the battery position, the round is chambered in the barrel and the gun is charged for ring. Before firing, the safety lever 50 must be set in the "re position.

Semia'utomatic and automatic lire are both accomplished by pulling the trigger |05 rearwardly ina horizontal plane Varying distances, that is, pulling the trigger only part way operates the gun in semiautomatic reand pulling it all the way until it stops, operates the gun in automatic fire. When the trigger |05 is pulled rearwardly the spring biased latch ||6 pivotally attached thereto, trips the automatic and semiautomatic sears 6| and 62, respectively, thereby releasing the striker 39 allowing same to go forwardly under the urging of striker spring 68, striking firing pin 14 in bolt 12 thereby discharging cartridge |3|. As the bullet |11 travels along the bore 23|, the bolt is locked. When the bullet |11 has cleared the bore 23| at the muzzle end and while passing through gas chamber |19 in the actuator. I5 l the gases escaping from the bore 23| impinge on the front wall |80 thereby forcing the actuator |5| forwardly which in turn moves the actuator bar 205 also forwardly thereby camming the look 31 downwardly, With the assistance of the back pressure of the gases developed at the instant bullet |11 is passing through bullet aperture |16 of expansion chamber |19 of actuator |5|, bolt 12 is driven rearwardly and the spring pressed striker is then returned rearwardly and is engaged by the automatic and semiautomatic sears. At the end of the recoil stroke the bolt 12 is returned to the battery position under the bias of spring 1|, picking up the uppermost cartridge |3| from the magazine |30 and chambering same in the barrel. scavenging of remaining gases in chamber |19 isaceorn'- pli'shed` by vacuum formed by the baseof bullet IEW ass it leaves aperture |162` The actuator bar 205i is=v returned rearwardly under the vbiasof spring-2M thereby camming' theI lock upwardly and locking' the bolt in the battery position.

In automatic fire when thev trigger |05? is: pulled to the. stop position, the. automatic liever H4 holds ther semiau-tomatic sear 62 only rearwardly preventing its engagement with striker projection 66. When the semiautomatic Sear is thus held out of engagement, the automatic sear 6| functions normally and isreleased from the striker 30 by the projection M8y of actuator' bar 205fa'fter the actuator |5| returns to the normal position under the bias of spring thereby continuing the firing until the trigger is released. In semiautomatic fire when trigger |05 is pulled rearwardly and the latch |-6 disconnects both the sears, such latch then overrides the bottom portions |20 and |28 of automatic and semiautomatic sears, respectively, under the bias of plungers 56 thereby allowing the sears to reengage the striker 39 and the trigger |05 then has to be returned to its forward position before latch I|6 can re-engage the sears.

It will therefore be apparent to one skilled in the art that application of the principle of the invention disclosed herein provides novel and improved firearm construction which is outstandingly characterized by a small number of parts and simplicity of configuration of such parts. In addition, a light weight rifle is disclosed which can quickly and without the aid of tools be disassembled in three small units for convenience in transportation of such light rifle.

I claim:

1. In an automatic firearm having a hinged stock unit and a receiver unit, the combination of, a barrel unit comprising a barrel, a sleeve releasably coupling said barrel to the receiver unit in longitudinal alignment, a barrel band xedly secured to said barrel, a forestock pivotally secured to said barrel band, latching means to releasably secure said forestock to the receiver unit in longitudinal alignment, and a lock located in the bottom of a longitudinal recess in said forestock under said sleeve and provided with an upstanding portion terminating in an apex top portion to cooperate with longitudinal serrations on said sleeve whereby rotation of said sleeve is prevented when said barrel unit and said forestock are in longitudinal alignment with the receiver unit and whereby said lock cannot be disengaged from said serrations when said forestock is in longitudinal alignment with said barrel unit.

2. In a firearm having a receiver, a barrel removably coupled thereto, and a trigger guard secured to the Iunderside of the receiver, the combination of an intermediate stock portion forming a seat for the receiver and having an opening in the underside thereof for passage of the trigger guard therethrough, a strip-like extension projecting rearwardly from the trigger guard in abutment with the underside of said intermediate stock portion, a shoulder stock portion hingedly secured to the terminal end of said trigger guard extension for pivotal movement between an extended position forming a continuation of said intermediate portion and a stowed position wherein said shoulder portion is folded forwardly beneath said intermediate portion, means for locking said shoulder stock portion in 10 thei'extendedposition thereof, a forestock portion mounted to the underside of, the barrel forwardly of said intermediate stock portion, and releasable latch means forv locking said forestock portion to said intermediate stock portion in longitudinal lalignment therewith'.

In a firearm, the combination of a receiver, a bolt slid'ably mounted" in said receiver for longitudinal reciprocal movement, a barrel having a. depending' front bandA thereom a sleeve coupling' said barrel to said receiver in the proper headspace relationship relative to said bolt, key means for preventing relative; rotation between said barrel and said receiver, an intermediate stock portion forming a seat for said receiver and substantially coextensive therewith, a shoulder stock portion hingedly secured to said intermediate stock portion for pivotal movement between an extended position forming a continuation of said intermediate portion and a stowed position wherein said shoulder portion is folded forwardly beneath said intermediate portion, screw means releasably locking said shoulder stock portion to said intermediate portion in said extended position of said shoulder portion, a forestock portion pivotally mounted at the front end thereof to said barrel band, latch means in the rear end of said forestock portion engageable with the front end of said intermediate portion to hold said forestock portion in longitudinal alignment therewith, said barrel coupling sleeve having a plurality of annularly disposed serrations on the exterior thereof, an upwardly projecting detent in said forestock engageable in one of said serrations for locking said coupling sleeve against rotation and thereby preventing any change in the headspace relationship between said bolt and said barrel, and means for releasing said latch means to disengage said forestock portion from said intermediate stock portion whereby said forestock portion is free to pivot about the front end thereof and thereby withdraw said detent from locking engagement in one of said serrations in said sleeve to permit uncoupling of said barrel from said receiver.

4. In a firearm having a receiver and a barrel removably coupled thereto, the combination of an intermediate stock portion forming a seat for the receiver and substantially coextensive therewith, a shoulder stock portion hingedly secured to the rear end of said intermediate stock portion for pivotal movement between an extended position wherein said shoulder portion forms a continuation of said intermediate portion and a stowed position wherein said shoulder portion is folded forwardly beneath said intermediate portion, means for locking said shoulder portion in the extended position thereof, a forestock portion having a screw secured in the front end thereof and projecting forwardly therefrom to terminate in an eye portion, a depending front band on the barrel, key means for locking said front band against rotation relative to said barrel, said front band having a bifurcated portion on the underside thereof for rotatably receiving said eye portion of said screw therebetween, a bolt threadably secured in said front band bifurcated portion and passing through said eye portion whereby said forestock portion is pivotally secured to said front barrel band, and releasable latch means for locking said forestock portion to the front end of said intermediate stock portion in longitudinal alignment therewith.

References Cited in the 111e of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Mason Aug. 28, 1894 Murray July 23, 1895 Baird June 26, 1900 Demele Jan. 20, 1914 Berthier July 6., 1915 North Dec. 28, 1920 Thompson Aug. 15, 1922 Walther et al. July 3, 1923 Simpson Mar. 19, 1935 House Apr. 20, 1937 Number Name Date Bost Jan. 16, 1940 Pomeroy Sept. 24, 1940 Ferrel Jan. 19, 1943 Barnes Feb. 8, 1944 Pederson Dee. 5, 1944 Simpson July 15, 1947 Swebilus Mar. 2, 1948 Koucky Oct. 18, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Italy July 27, 1939 France Feb. 21, 1925 

